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In touch

Up-to-the-minute jumping-off points for sermons, linking the reading to the latest news and global issues.

 

Hear His voice

Living with and listening to our shepherd’s voice leads us to life (John 10:1-10).

 

Context

If, like me, you love vocal music, particularly pop and rock, you may be excited to make your way to one of the two new music-focused openings in London this April: The Music is Black: A British Story, the first-ever exhibition at the brand new V&A East Museum; and the immersive experience David Bowie: You’re Not Alone. On my list to visit outside of London are The Coventry Music Museum and Liverpool’s British Music Experience, having already completed The Beatles sites on a previous trip. Across the country this week and every week there will be live performances from artists, known and unknown, in front of all sorts of audiences. Music – and other live performance arts like poetry, comedy and theatre – draw many of us in. Often it’s the opportunity to hear the sound of the creative human voice, especially a distinctive or much-loved voice, that’s at the heart of the appeal.

 

Reflection and ideas for sermons or interactive talks

Don’t let God’s voice be a mystery

Pub quizzes and radio shows often include music or mystery-voice rounds, where a short clip of a song or interview is played and you have to guess the song, or the person singing or speaking. It can be quite difficult at times, even when the person is famous – the audience were up to at least 12 wrong guesses on Dermot O’Leary’s Radio 2 show last weekend. But if you’re a real fan of the person or band, it can be incredibly easy. You know that voice, that sound. You love that voice. You’ve spent hours listening to it, spending time with it. You’d recognise it anywhere.

The sheep in Jesus’ story know their shepherd’s voice (John 10:1-10). They have spent time with him, day in, day out, from their earliest moments. He has been calling them by name each day, speaking to them while leading and providing for them. They’ve followed him to pasture and back home to the safety of their fold, all the time listening, following, learning who he is. That’s how they can recognise him. It’s how we can learn to know God’s voice, too. By spending time listening, following, learning, day by day, so that we can recognise it anywhere. That way we will not be led astray, but instead be led into abundant life.

 

Voice and character

The word “voice” doesn’t just denote an audible sound. We also use it to describe the character that shows through in a person’s writing, the personality that’s distinctively theirs. A strong, consistent voice can win someone a following, whether they’re a poet, comedian, author, influencer, or celebrity chef. Jamie Oliver, according to The Times on Tuesday, has around 7000 subscribers to his Substack newsletter, despite its self-avowed “geeky” content, like deep-diving into his love of vinegar. People know what to expect from him if they follow him, and so those who want what he’s offering, do.

The shepherd’s character in the parable and his offering to them is clear: he knows his sheep individually, caring for them and providing for them consistently. Jesus goes on to make the parallel with his own character explicit: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) His is a voice worth following and a gift worth receiving.

By contrast, other voices may try to distract us or steal us away, even, it seems, by breaking into and acting from within the fold (John 10:1). Knowing our shepherd’s voice and character will help us to know when to run: the voice and character of the bandit will not match up to our shepherd’s, for the “thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.”

 

Questions for discussion

• “I heard that voice and I thought, I know exactly who that is!” The man just ahead of me in the queue for a late-night station snack was greeting an old friend of his and clearly very excited to have found him in the crowd. Have you ever recognised someone you like or love by the sound of their voice, even when you couldn’t see their face? Or perhaps by some other means, like the way that they walk, or their coat on a chair? How do you feel when you spot someone you’re happy to know in a crowded place? What are some of the ways you recognise God’s presence in the midst of a crowded life?
• Who or what might the thief or bandit in the story represent for us today, on the world stage, or in our own lives? The thief manages, it seems, to enter the sheepfold “by another way” (John 10:1). The threat can sometimes be very close, even entering into our communities and safe spaces. In recent weeks the Pope has warned against those who “manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic and political gain”. Let us hope and pray that those declaring God’s word out loud this week, or listening along, as part of the “America Reads the Bible” event hear His true voice and character speaking to them.

Rebecca Froley was the launch editor for the Roots website 20+ years ago and now works in web management in the culture and heritage sector (but not at the places mentioned here!). She worships at a Baptist church in the London Borough of Sutton where she helps with the young people’s groups, and volunteers for a small Christian development charity.

 

 

Check-in

Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people

God giving an abundant life can be hard to imagine in this time of both national and global hardship. With real challenges to the cost of living, youth unemployment, and housing prices, it can feel as though there’s no sunny luscious green pastures ahead or safe still waters to lie down and rest near. 

Good shepherds lead their sheep to find pasture in every season and every condition - whether it’s winter when the green pastures are few or summer when the water sources are mostly dried. Even at night-time when the predators come to prey, good shepherds take care of their flock and provide them with all the food, water and protection they need. What time or season do you find yourself in? Where would you like the Good Shepherd to lead you?

When we stay close to God and enter His sheepfold, Jesus says that He will be the gate. He will lie in front of the sheepfold to protect us and keep us safe at night, and during the day He will lead us to green pastures and still waters.

All we need to do is to tune ourselves to hear God’s voice above the noise of exam pressures, peer pressure, or the many other voices and pressures that seek to grab our attention. Then trust that the voice of the Good Shepherd will lead us to find food and water whatever the conditions. How can you tune out the other voices and tune in to God’s voice this week?

Simon Bailey is an Engagement & Participation Youth Worker for the local authority in Central Bedfordshire.

 

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